President George H.W. Bush: A life of public service

CaptionGeorge H.W. Bush

Bob Daemmrich, Reuters

Former President George H.W. Bush and former first lady Barbara Bush attend a program Nov. 11, 2014, to launch their son's new book, "41: A Portrait of My Father," at the George Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas.

Former President George H.W. Bush and former first lady Barbara Bush attend a program Nov. 11, 2014, to launch their son's new book, "41: A Portrait of My Father," at the George Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas. (Bob Daemmrich, Reuters)

George W. Bush talks with his former chief of staff Andrew Card about Bush's new book "41: A Portrait of My Father" at the George Bush Presidential Library Center in College Station, Texas, on Nov. 11, 2014.

George W. Bush talks with his former chief of staff Andrew Card about Bush's new book "41: A Portrait of My Father" at the George Bush Presidential Library Center in College Station, Texas, on Nov. 11, 2014. (Larry W. Smith/EPA)

Former President George H.W. Bush, left, joins his son former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush on April 25, 2013, during the dedication ceremony for the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas.

Former President George H.W. Bush, left, joins his son former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush on April 25, 2013, during the dedication ceremony for the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas. (Jason Reed / Reuters)

Former President George H.W. Bush gets a standing ovation April 25, 2013, as first lady Michelle Obama, from left, President Barack Obama, Barbara Bush, former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush look on at a ceremony at the new George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas.

Former President George H.W. Bush gets a standing ovation April 25, 2013, as first lady Michelle Obama, from left, President Barack Obama, Barbara Bush, former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush look on at a ceremony at the new George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas. (Paul Moseley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

George H.W. Bush, the 41st president and a Republican, served one term in the White House. The father of former President George W. Bush, he also served as a congressman, as ambassador to the United Nations, as CIA director and as vice president.